Aug 09, 2013. /Lesprom Network/. MASISA's consolidated revenue in 2Q 2013 amounted to $421.7 million, which was a $85.7 million (+25.5%) increase, mainly due to higher sales in Venezuela, Mexico, United States, Chile and Brazil. MDP/PB sales were up $22.1 million (+24.2%), mainly because of Mexico, due to the inclusion of Rexcel’s assets, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

Sales also increased in Venezuela, Argentina and Ecuador. MDF sales rose $29.2 million (+20.3%) due to higher sales in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, United States and Mexico. Sales of other products grew 34.1% and amounted to $34.4 million, largely driven by higher MDF molding exports to the United States and greater resin sales in Mexico. MASISA’s consolidated sales cost was $307 million against $264.5 million in 2Q 2012, explained by sales increases.

Gross revenue was $114.6 million, a 60.5% year-on-year increase, because of better margins, due to higher sales and costs efficiencies. The gross revenue to sales ratio rose from 21.3% to 27.2%.

The consolidated EBITDA surged 50.1% and amounted to $88.3 million in 2Q 2013. EBITDA increased in Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. While EBITDA in Chile & Argentina remained fairly stable.

In the 2Q 2013, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and other countries where Masisa maintains business operations accounted for 49.9% of the total EBITDA, showing an increase of 5.7%. Meanwhile, Venezuela EBITDA represented 50.1% of the total.

Profits attributable to the controller’s owners (previously called net income) were $3.8 million against $17.2 million in the same period in 2012. Regarding operating activities, gross revenue reached $43.2 million, due to higher sales revenues, margins and higher operating income.

Net income after minority interest was $3.8 million in the 2Q. This decrease was despite higher gross revenue (+60.5%) and higher operating income, and was due to greater income tax and losses from exchange rate differences and price-level restatement, mainly because of the devaluation of currencies in Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, and higher price-level restatement in Venezuela due to an increase in inflation.

MASISA CEO Roberto Salas commented: “This has been a quarter of major decisions, such as the announcement of a 2015 investment plan of $600 million, that includes the construction of a new MDF plant in Mexico with a 200,000 cubic metres board production capacity and coating capacity of 100,000 cubic metres. Additionally, we recorded a significant growth in operating income (EBITDA), led by Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. On the non-operating results, we will work in the coming months to mitigate the impacts of devaluations in most markets and high inflation in Venezuela. "

MASISA is a leading company in the production and marketing of value-added wood boards (MDF and MDP/PB) in Latin America.